Mayor Bejo opens Tacloban City Hall to the media

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 27, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez Sr. has opened the city hall to the media. This after the inauguration of the Media Lounge at the City Hall’s Livelihood and Productivity Center at the scenic Balyuan Park at Tacloban City.

In his message, Mayor Romualdez said that he thought of turning a room as the media lounge so that the members of the media will have a place to work while making their dispatches. He admitted that in the past he always shuns the media because he did not want to brag his plans. Now that big projects are completed and some are ongoing but about to be finished, he feels the need for the media to know so that they can disseminate these developments to the city constituents. He said he is happy with the presence of the guest of honor, PIA Director Olive Tiu because he knows that she can help guide the media.

For her part, Director Olive Tiu of PIA expressed her gratitude with the good gesture of the Mayor not only in providing a comfortable lounge for the media but because of his acknowledgement of the big role of the media in the development of a city. She said that she is glad that the Mayor realizes the importance of communications plan in any government undertaking because no matter how good the project is if the constituents are not informed about it, then the project will not be appreciated. She cited the importance of the media in giving feedback of the longings and concerns of the people so that those concerned officials will have the chance to solve their concerns. She expressed her wish that the media will remain as the city government’s partners for the development of the city and in uplifting the lives of the citizenry.

City Administrator Jimjim T. Yaokasin said that the five sets of computers with internet connections, the telephone and the fax machine, the television and the music station found in the media lounge are all for the use of the media. He also pointed out that the refrigerator will always be filled with drinks and some food for the media.

More than 50 media practitioners were present during the inauguration of the media lounge. Also present were former DILG Director Johnny Volfango and former PNP director Dionisio Coloma who has just taken his oath as the new executive assistant of Mayor Romualdez.  Although he has yet to receive his special order, Director Coloma said that he will help the Mayor in the traffic management of the city and in some other undertakings of the city which the mayor will assign to him.